Active Low-Carber Forums - View Single Post - Can atherosclerosis be reversed??

I also think that, at least in some part of the population, a high carbohydrate, low fat diet can address insulin resistance to some degree. Even though fat doesn't by itself require much insulin, added to a carbohydrate load, it does increase the insulin required to handle that carbohydrate. Whether this works out might depend on the degree of insulin resistance--going low fat probably wouldn't work for a person whose own body insists on releasing excess fat into circulation, even in the face of a very high carbohydrate, low fat dietary load. Both low fat and low carbohydrate have the potential to address insulin resistance, how well they do so probably depends on individual metabolism.

http://www.drdach.com/Track_Your_Plaque.html

Quote:

How to Reverse Heart Disease with the Coronary Calcium Score

http://journals.lww.com/americanthe...oach_of.12.aspx

Quote:

Effect of a Combined Therapeutic Approach of Intensive Lipid Management, Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation, and Increased Serum 25 (OH) Vitamin D on Coronary Calcium Scores in Asymptomatic Adults
Davis, William MD, FACC1*; Rockway, Susie PhD, CNS2; Kwasny, Mary ScD3

Abstract
The impact of intensive lipid management, omega-3 fatty acid, and vitamin D3 supplementation on atherosclerotic plaque was assessed through serial computed tomography coronary calcium scoring (CCS). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction with statin therapy has not been shown to reduce or slow progression of serial CCS in several recent studies, casting doubt on the usefulness of this approach for tracking atherosclerotic progression. In an open-label study, 45 male and female subjects with CCS of ≥ 50 without symptoms of heart disease were treated with statin therapy, niacin, and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation to achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides ≤60 mg/dL; high-density lipoprotein ≥60 mg/dL; and vitamin D3 supplementation to achieve serum levels of ≥50 ng/mL 25(OH) vitamin D, in addition to diet advice. Lipid profiles of subjects were significantly changed as follows: total cholesterol −24%, low-density lipoprotein −41%; triglycerides −42%, high-density lipoprotein +19%, and mean serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels +83%. After a mean of 18 months, 20 subjects experienced decrease in CCS with mean change of −14.5% (range 0% to −64%); 22 subjects experienced no change or slow annual rate of CCS increase of +12% (range 1%-29%). Only 3 subjects experienced annual CCS progression exceeding 29% (44%-71%). Despite wide variation in response, substantial reduction of CCS was achieved in 44% of subjects and slowed plaque growth in 49% of the subjects applying a broad treatment program.

I got this from CarbSane's blog, where she reamed Dr. Davis for perceived inconsistencies--of which there weren't any, it's just that over the years, Dr. Davis refined his approach, becoming less saturated fat-phobic and more suspicious of oatmeal. At any rate, he's been making claims for plaque and heart disease reversal for quite a while now, and advocating a more and more low carbohydrate diet while continuing to make these claims.

Of course, like Dean Ornish's program, there were so many elements to his approach that it's impossible to pinpoint just what went right. But that's a proper criticism of any one element of the program, not of the program as a whole--better do them all. With Ornish's program, you might need to be a smoker, going in, so that you can quit.

http://carbsanity.blogspot.ca/2013/...at-bellies.html